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Teacher, nurse, mentor, friend, community volunteer, world traveller.
Dorothy was born in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia on December 13, 1927. She received her nursing certificate in 1953 with further qualifications in obstetrics in 1954 and 1955. She left Australia in the summer of 1957 and put her nursing skills to use in England before arriving in Canada on November 16, 1959. Dorothy enrolled at the University of Toronto (St. Michael’s College) in 1960 while she continued working as a registered nurse and, for a period of time, as a social worker. She graduated from the Ontario College of Education in 1965.
In September of 1965, Dorothy came to Cobourg and began teaching at CDCI East. She quickly became a much loved and involved art teacher at the school. Over the years, Dorothy organized trips to the Art Gallery of Ontario, designed sets for the annual school musical, was instrumental in creating the window painting contest in downtown Cobourg, designed and built the school’s annual float for the Santa Clause parade, and took a group of students to Europe. With her passion and dedication, Dorothy instilled in her students the confidence to succeed and a love of adventure.
In 1987, Dorothy ‘retired’ from teaching but only from teaching at ‘The East’. She taught English in Milada Boleslav, Czech Republic where there is now a school, Hampson CS, named after her. She was then off to China to teach English in southern Yangtze for a number of years.
As a community volunteer, Dorothy was crucial in the formation of the Art Gallery of Cobourg along with Charles and Marion Hagen. Dorothy also brought Dragon Boat Racing to Cobourg with the founding of the Survivor Thrivers Breast Cancer survivors team. With her knowledge of language education, Dorothy volunteered her time teaching English to new immigrants in Cobourg for many years. She ran garden tours around Cobourg to garner financial support for the Horizons of Friendship charity. Dorothy helped establish the ‘Frink’ downtown (the skating rink in the winter, fountain in the summer), through enlisting the support of community members and speaking to town council so that this idea came to fruition.
Many summers, Dorothy travelled in France to study French while making new friends and staying connected with old friends. There were many friends and former students from around the world (New York, California, England, Japan, China, Czech Republic, as well as every province and territory of Canada) who met up with her in France where she would act as your private tour guide. Many of these friends came to Cobourg to visit too!
It is with sadness that we share the news of Dorothy’s passing. Her laughter, humour, stories, and engaging personality are missed by her many dear friends and those she considered family.
A gathering to celebrate Dorothy’s life will take place on Saturday September 30, 2023 from 1 - 5 p.m. at the Art Gallery of Northumberland, Victoria Hall, Cobourg. If you have memories or photos to share, please send them by e-mail to marygilaine@gmail.com so that they may be included in a memorial presentation at the celebration of life.
Thank you to the staff at Extendicare Cobourg for their attentive care given to Dorothy.
In lieu of flowers, for those wishing, donations in remembrance of Dorothy can be made to the Art Gallery of Northumberland
How to sum up my feelings and esteem for Dorothy. There are few people who have had such a profound influence on me. She was a generous soul with a strong sense of community and responsibility to others. Inside and outside the classroom Dorothy invested her time and resources in so many of her students. I recall one small instance where she invited a less-advantaged young man out for a snack after school. While I’m sure the food was appreciated, the real gift was her time and letting that person know he mattered. This was not an extraordinary act for Dorothy - if she saw a need and could help, she did. Dorothy was also an incredibly interesting person. She seemed to have lived ten lives already when I first met her. And it appears she went on to have many more adventures and touch many more people throughout the rest of her life. Thank you and rest well dear friend.
Dorothy was a friend to me when I truly needed one. She was a role model to me - an independent woman, without children, living a beautiful life full of adventure and lifelong learning. When I was in university she would visit Toronto to see art galleries, and always took me for lunch. She gifted me two pairs of her Ferragamo heels. I still wear them now. I treasure the memories I have of Dorothy. I’m lucky to have met her.
In Loving Memory of Dorothy Hampson We mourn the loss of a remarkable art teacher and extraordinary individual. Dorothy Hampson's impact on our lives was immeasurable. Her fierce independence and critical thinking inspired countless students at Cobourg Collegiate Institute East, nurturing their artistic talents and guiding them to success. As a student and later a friend, I experienced firsthand her kindness and leadership. Dorothy's legacy will forever endure, as her influence reached far into the future. She touched our lives in profound ways, and her memory will be cherished by all who knew her. Rest in peace, dear Dorothy. Your light will shine on in our hearts. Stephen Della Casa
Sorry to hear of Miss. Hampson's passing. She was a wonderful teacher and individual and I am blessed for knowing her. She was my home room teacher at the East high school and what a wonderful way to welcome the morning. She always had a positive thought for the day and a giggle that was infectious. RIP Dorothy.
Miss Hampson made a difference as many of the previous posts have stated with sincere clarity. It is nice to hear she had such an impact on so many regardless of artistic talent. A true mentor who did it her way and who went on to lead an interesting life while forging her own path. You are one of those treasured individuals who will not be forgotten… RIP Dorothy!!
This wonderful lady touched so many lives, both in our community and afar. Had many chats with her in downtown Cobourg when she'd stop by our shop for a visit. My condolences to all who knew her as a friend.
I am So Grateful for Dorothy's Guidance and Nurturing while participating in the Visual Arts and Art History Classes at Cobourg District Collegiate East in the early 70's. Following my graduation in Nursing in Toronto, she provided support and friendship as I completed / graduated Ontario College of Art followed by an Honors Degree at Victoria College, University of Toronto with a focus on Classical Architecture and Political Propaganda and a Specialist in Fine Art Drawing and Painting and Lithography. She opened the doors to a Beautiful world of study and a life time of drawing and painting. Dorothy was my mentor and Friend......Wise and Beautiful.
Dorothy made a beautiful difference to our Cobourg community with her vision and love.
Thank you Miss Hampson for helping to instill the love of learning and confidence in my abilities in the 1980's. You were a wonderful Art Teacher, R.I.P.
I had the privilege of caring for Dorothy at Extendicare for the last 2 years. Fly high darling lady . Your life was immense and so was your presence. ?
I’m very sorry to hear of Dorothy’s passing. I moved to Cobourg in Grade 10 where my love of art was fostered with the incredible opportunities that were offered through Dorothy’s classes including batik, ceramics and copper enamelling. Working on the parade floats was something I really loved as well. I ended up becoming an art teacher myself, and Dorothy gave me all of her resource books for my classroom library. I will always remember her generosity. I also had the opportunity to work on different community committees with Dorothy. She was a dynamo and tireless volunteer. She will be missed.
Miss Hampson was blessed with inherent patience, kindness, insight and a genuine desire to share the world. I was one of many with whom she shared all that. It also gives me reason to carry her memory for the rest of my life.
A Memorial Donation has been made to the following charity:
Art Gallery of Northumberland - Victoria Hall
What a loss to us all. My best days in high school were the ones which contained art class. Ms. Hampson was an exemplary teacher and a wonderful, kind person who became a good friend after I left CDCI East. In a few short high school years, she managed to expose her students to an astonishing variety of art techniques and mediums – some of which I continue to pursue today. She will be missed by anyone who had the privilege of knowing her.
I was very fortunate to have Miss Hampson as an art teacher who recognized my artistic abilities. She always had the time to stop and visit on the street. May she rest in peace.
Thank you Miss Hampson for being the most caring person ever!! I had you for my art class teacher at the East High school. Gee. I even had issues drawing a stick person but you always smiled. Rest in peace. And remember that you were a very well liked person because you were yourself and we all knew that! Godspeed.
Sorry to hear of Dorothy"s passing , she was my favorite teacher when she taught at the east. Rest in peace!
I remember Miss Hampson with a great deal of fondess. Great teacher and is probably responsible for my lifelong love of art. Rest in peace.
I was one of many at CDCI East who had the privilege of knowing Miss Hampson as a teacher and a friend. She took several of us students on a 2 month tour of Europe in 1972 which was a defining event certainly in my life. At a reunion of us in 2011, Miss Hampson still had words of encouragement and support for the things we had planned for our then late career and retirement years. A truly remarkable individual who left a lasting mark on so many.
Dorothy was a remarkable woman who had so many accomplishments during her life. Dorothy was always kind and very encouraging. I enjoyed our relationship as a student and then as an adult. She will be missed.
R.I.P., Miss Hampson. You were my Gr. 11 art teacher, many moons ago, at the East Collegiate. We developed a rapport, then, that I will never forget. I met you again, in Extendicare, where my Mom resided. It was a pleasure to cross paths, once more, enjoy Paradise.
Dorothy was a very special woman; extremely gifted and extremely generous. I feel blessed to have known her. Rest in peace. Linda Marr
Ms. Hampson was my favourite teacher at CDCI East Cobourg. She instilled in me a love for painting and using my creative skills. Which I have pursued. I remember her laugh and loved her easy going nature. RIP
Dorothy was truly a leader and a fighter for just causes . From leading in creating the Survivor Thrivers Dragonboat team , to passionately supporting the outdoor rink in the Waterfront Park ,to inspiring her students to appreciate art , to being a champion for the Art Gallery. Cobourg is a better place because of Dorothy .human being . May she rest in peace . Peter and Suzanne Delanty. A warm and intelligent
I will always remember her with a smile on her face! She was a well respected woman who always had a story to tell or shared one of her travel experiences! Beautiful soul ❤️ God Bless
I worked with Dorothy at CDCI East and found her to be a robust and engaging person. Her many contributions will always be appreciated.
So sad to hear Miss Hampson ( this is what I called her then and still refer to her even today)passed away. She was one of my favorite teachers at CDCI East highschool in Cobourg. She was a super sweet lady and although I'm not a great artist I truly enjoyed her class. She was patient and very supportive. She will be missed.
We were very sorry to her of Dorothy's passing. We spend many dinners at Extendicare with Dorothy, while visiting with our Mom. I also remember her as one of the Art teachers from the East High School. She was a pleasure to be around and will truly be missed by all. Cindy Murphy
A Memorial Donation has been made to the following charity:
Art Gallery of Northumberland - Victoria Hall
A Memorial Donation has been made to the following charity:
Art Gallery of Northumberland - Victoria Hall
Ms. Hampson was my art teacher at CDCI East Highschool in Cobourg. I wasn't very artistic but she was a great teacher and very nice lady
We will miss our old friend and colleague.